Alessandro Del Piero is set for a short spell on the sidelines after limping out of Sydney FC’s 0-0 draw with Melbourne Heart.

Although a hamstring strain has been ruled out for the summer signing from Juventus, he won’t be ready for the Wellington tie against Phoenix this weekend.

“Fortunately the CT scan I had yesterday didn't show any particular problems,” he wrote on www.alessandrodelpiero.com.

“The muscle pain I felt last game was just a cramp, though, unfortunately, I will have to miss a couple of matches.

“I'll be close to my teammates and I'm sure that we'll keep on moving forward both in training and in matches.

“And soon I'll be on the pitch as well: I'll give my best to shorten the time of my absence...

“Thanks to all who sent me their ‘good luck’ messages and asked about my health. I feel very close to you and your messages confirm once again your great affection, from Italy, from Australia, from everywhere in the world.”

Sydney are bottom of the table.

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